Swedish teams count cost

Ghana's recent victory over Zambia, which saw the country qualify for this summer's Olympics, provoked differing reactions for two Swedish Premier league sides.

AIK Solna has made public its concerns over losing live-wire Derek Boateng for the tournament when the Swedish premiership will be in full swing.

However another club Orgryte are quietly relieved that its two Zambian players will be staying put.

Boateng, an offensive midfielder, is the player around whom the AIK's championship winning hopes are built and releasing him to play for Ghana will undoubtedly affect the fortunes of the club.

"Derek is very important to us because we believe that he will be a big star this season," the club's British coach Richard Mooney told BBC Sport.

When Derek opted recently to stay away from the final qualifying match against Zambia, officials of the club could not hide their joy.

On the other hand, Solna's worries are good news for Orgryte who are happy that defender Edwin Phiri and teenage sensation Boyd Mwila will be on hand to play in the championship.

Officials at the club say that they could not imagine being without the the two dependable players.

Phiri was in the squad that lost to Ghana 2-0 in the final qualification match.

"We are really breathing a sigh of relief," said the official who wanted to remain nameless.